Easton breaks ground on firehouse expansion funded by local developer

Tuesday

May 7, 2019 at 1:31 PMMay 7, 2019 at 2:32 PM

Local developer Douglas King provided funding and labor for the expansion of Easton's Station 2 in exchange for the rights to develop Queset Commons.

EASTON — The town broke ground Monday on an expansion and renovation of one of its firehouses, using funding from a 2008 agreement with local developer Douglas King that brought sewer and special zoning to his Queset Commons development.

The expansion will increase the square footage of the Easton Fire Department’s Station 2 by roughly half the size of its current footprint. The renovated facility will have modern bunk rooms, a new locker room and showers for men and women.

The pre-existing parts of the firehouse, located at 87 Depot St., will also receive a complete renovation. Its two apparatus bays will be expanded, allowing the station to accommodate any vehicle in the town's fleet. Fire Chief Kevin Partridge said that change will afford his department flexibility it didn't have in the past.

"We are thrilled that Station 2 will be getting a much-needed face lift and addition thanks to developer Doug King," he said on Monday. "Not only will the project give the old building some curb appeal, but it will also modernize some of the older and outdated parts of the building like the electrical system, heating and air conditioning systems, height of the overhead doors, locker room and bathrooms."

Still, Partridge said he and some of the lieutenants who work out of the station will miss its "old feel." Constructed in 1934 and renovated in occasional spurts since then, Partridge said the station has a unique character to it. As an example, he spoke of the building's locker rooms, where the lockers themselves arrived via donation, and in all different colors, from schools, country clubs and Stonehill College.

The new and improved station will pay homage to the station's history with a wall for old signs and pictures, said Partridge. Downstairs, the chief is considering a mural competition that would give an Easton high school student the chance to paint something large on the walls of an apparatus bay.

A statement released by the town said that construction and renovation at the station is expected to last 90 to 120 days, during which it will temporarily close. Partridge expects that period to last a little longer than the town's estimate. He told The Enterprise to anticipate a ribbon cutting ceremony in September or October.

In the meantime, the engines and firefighters based at Station 2 will relocate to Station 3, at 413 Bay Rd.

King's contribution to the project is estimated to be in the range of $350,000, according to estimates provided by his company. Town Administrator Connor Read said the town has appropriated $100,000 for site work and renovations, with the rest of the work coming free of charge from Douglas A. King Builders, Inc.

Staff writer Ben Berke can be reached at bberke@enterprisenews.com. Follow him on Twitter @Enterprise_Ben.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.